[0001] This invention concerns a device for securing an adjustable back of a seat, in particular
a rear seat, to the body of a motor vehicle.
[0002] There are known securing devices, generally comprising a locating pin attached to
the body of the motor vehicle and an attachment mechanism mounted on the seat back
and designed to engage with the locating pin.
[0003] The securing mechanism basically comprises a base unit attached to the body of the
motor vehicle, a fork pivoting on the base unit about a first fixed pin and having
jaws to engage a portion, generally cylindrical, of the locating pin mentioned above,
and a stop pivoting on the base unit about a second fixed pin and spring loaded to
snap into an edge on the periphery of the fork.
[0004] In particular, the fork is loaded by a spring towards a rest position in which it
allows engagement and disengagement between the cylindrical portion of the locating
pin and the jaws of the fork, and can rotate about the first pin over a distance where
it is in engagement with the stop to assume a first and a second attachment position,
corresponding to different positions of attachment of the back to the body, in which
the cylindrical portion of the locating pin is locked in the jaws of the fork.
[0005] The stop is designed to snap into engagement sectors on the edge of the periphery
of the fork to lock the fork in a releasable manner in the first and second attachment
positions mentioned above.
[0006] Because of the constraints imposed by the geometry of the fork and of the stop and
by the movement characteristics of the attachment mechanism,securing devices of the
above type do not allow more than two positions for securing the back to the body
to be obtained, and furthermore these are arranged at a relatively small angular distance
apart.
[0007] Alternatively, there are securing devices known which basically comprise an elongated
positioning plate fixed to the body and having a number of through holes determining
a range of adjustment of the position of the back, and a pin mounted on the back,
loaded axially by means of a spring device and designed to snap into the holes in
the positioning plate to determine different positions for securing the back to the
body.
[0008] These securing devices, while allowing the position of the back to be adjusted with
relative ease, with the possibility of obtaining a relatively large number of securing
positions arranged at the desired angular distances from each other, are nevertheless
somewhat noisy, being subject to vibration in particular, because of the need to provide
suitable clearances between the pin and the holes. Moreover, when adjusting the position
of the back, finding the desired securing position may be a relatively long process,
since the pin tends to engage in the first hole which it encounters.
[0009] The aim of this invention is to produce an attachment device for securing an adjustable
back of a seat to a motor vehicle body, which enables the disadvantages connected
with the known securing devices specified above to be eliminated simply and economically.
[0010] The above aim is achieved by this invention in that it relates to a device for securing
an adjustable back of a seat to a motor vehicle body, comprising positioning devices
mounted on one of either the back or the body and an attachment mechanism mounted
on the other of either the back or the body and designed to act in conjunction with
the positioning devices, this attachment mechanism comprising:
- a base unit;
- a fork pivoting on this base unit about a first fixed pin provided with jaws to engage
these positioning devices and pressed by a first spring device towards a rest position
in which engagement and disengagement between the jaws and the positioning devices
are permitted; and
- a stop pivoting on the base unit about a second fixed pin, loaded by a second spring
device towards the fork and designed to snap into engagement with the fork to lock
it in a releasable manner into an attachment position in which the positioning devices
are engaged with the jaws;
characterised in that these positioning devices comprise a number of locating pins
arranged along the length through which the position of the seat back can be adjusted
with respect to the vehicle body and designed to engage with the fork in the attachment
position to determine different positions for securing the back to the body, and that
the fork can rotate about the first pin against the action of the first spring devices
between the first and second operating position arranged at an angle on opposite sides
of the rest and attachment positions, so as to enable the locating pins and the fork
to slide relative to each other during movements of the seat back between adjacent
securing positions.
[0011] For a better understanding of this invention, a preferred embodiment is described
below, purely as a non-limiting example and with reference to the attached drawings,
in which:
- figure 1 illustrates in a side view and with parts removed for clarity, a device for
securing an adjustable back of a seat to a motor vehicle body;
- figure 2 is a section along the line II - II in figure 1;
- figures 3 to 5 illustrate in side views and with parts removed for clarity, the securing
device in figure 1 in three different operating configurations; and
- figure 6 illustrates in a side view a possible variant of an attachment mechanism
for the securing device in figure 1, in the rest configuration.
[0012] With reference to figures 1 to 5, the number 1 indicates in its entirety a device
for securing an adjustable back 2 of a rear seat (only partially illustrated) to a
motor vehicle body 3 (not illustrated).
[0013] The device 1 comprises a positioning rail 4 designed to be fixed to the body 3 and
an attachment mechanism 5 mounted on the back 2 and designed to act in conjunction
with the positioning rail 4 to determine a number of positions, in the present case
three, for securing the back 2 to the body 3.
[0014] The attachment mechanism 5 comprises a base unit 6 substantially in plate form and
designed to be fixed to the seat back 2, and a fork 10 and a stop 11 pivoting respectively
about fixed pins 12, 13, which are permanently attached to the back 2 and to the base
unit 6 and have respective axes A and B parallel with each other and at right angles
to the base unit 6.
[0015] More precisely, each pin 12, 13 is fitted centrally into its own through hole, 14,
15, in the base unit 6 and has portions 16, 17 projecting on either side of the base
unit 6; the portions 16 of pins 12, 13 are fitted into holes 18, 19 in the fork 10
and the stop 11 respectively, and are riveted to a portion of the back 2 having the
form of a plate.
[0016] The fork 10 consists of a shaped plate of metal material coated externally with plastic
material, is pivoted at an intermediate portion 21 on the pin 12 and has C-shaped
jaws 22 on its periphery designed to act in conjunction with the positioning rail
4 and bounded at the sides by two prongs 23, 24.
[0017] Moreover, the fork 10 is pressed by a spring 25 wound around the portion 17 of pin
12, towards a rest position (figure 3) in which engagement and disengagement between
the positioning rail 4 and the jaws 22 are permitted.
[0018] The stop 11 consists of a shaped plate, substantially co-planar with the fork 10
and produced of metal material, is arranged on the opposite side of the fork 10 relative
to the positioning rail 4 and is loaded by a spring 26 wound around the portion 17
of pin 13, towards an edge 27 on the periphery of the fork 10.
[0019] The stop 11 comprises an intermediate portion 28 pivoting on pin 13, an operating
arm 29 extending from the portion 28 and designed to be connected to a control device
(not illustrated) for releasing the securing device 1, and an arm 30 to act in conjunction
with the fork 10, substantially L-shaped and extending on the opposite side of the
portion 28 relative to the arm 29.
[0020] At one free end, the arm 33 has an engagement portion 31 designed to snap into a
recess 32 made in the edge of the periphery 27 of the fork 10 so as to lock the fork
10 in a releasable manner in an attachment position in which the positioning rail
4 is kept engaged with the jaws 22 (figure 1).
[0021] The spring 26 has a first attachment portion 33 fixed to the base unit 6 and a second
attachment portion 34 bent in a direction parallel to the axis B and engaged and able
to slide in an elongated slot 35 made in the base unit 6 and having substantially
the shape of an arc of circumference with the centre of curvature coinciding with
axis B.
[0022] According to this invention, the positioning rail 4 comprises a number of locating
pins 36, three in the present case, arranged along the length P through which the
position of the seat back 2 can be adjusted with respect to the body 3 and designed
to engage with the fork 10 in the attachment position to determine the different positions
for securing the back 2 to the body 3, and the fork 10 is able to rotate about pin
12 against the action of spring 25 between a first and a second operating position
(figures 4 and 5 respectively) arranged at an angle on opposite sides of the rest
and attachment positions, so as to allow the locating pins 36 and the fork 10 to slide
relative to each other during movements of the back 2 between adjacent securing positions;
more precisely, the attachment position of the fork 10 is placed at an angle between
the rest position and the first operating position of the fork 10.
[0023] With particular reference to figure 2, the locating pins 36, of substantially cylindrical
shape, are fixed at one end to the body 3, for example by welding, and are connected
to each other at the opposite end by an elongated curved plate 37 extending at right
angles to the locating pins 36 and determining the range P of adjustment of the position
of the back 2. Each locating pin 36 is designed to operate in conjunction with the
jaws 22 of the fork 10 by means of a cylindrical intermediate portion of the pin,
38, which extends towards the body 3 in the form of a truncated cone with the larger
diameter facing towards the body 3 and arranged so as to bear against the latter.
[0024] The base unit 6 comprises two portions 40, 41 flat and parallel, with a stepped connection
to each other through an intermediate portion 42 at right angles to portions 40, 41;
in.particular, portion 40 is provided with holes 14, 15 for pins 12, 13 on which the
fork 10 and the stop 11 pivot, and also with slot 35 for the attachment portion 34
of spring 26.
[0025] The portion 41 has secured to it an idler roller 43 with an axis C parallel to axes
A and B, forming together with portion 42 a section giving sliding engagement with
plate 37 of the positioning rail 4; the plate 37 therefore constitutes a guide for
movement of the back 2 along the length P. More particularly, the roller 43 is fitted
so that it can rotate on a pin 44 which is in turn fixed between portion 41 of the
base unit 6 and the plate 45 facing and secured to portion 41.
[0026] With reference to figures 1 to 5 the spring 25 has opposite portions of attachment
50, 51 bent so as to extend parallel to the axis A and engaging and able to slide
in the elongated curved slots 52, 53, which are made in the portion 40 of the base
unit 6 and extend along arcs of a circumference having a centre of curvature coinciding
with axis A. The attachment portions 50, 51 of spring 25 both project from portion
40 of the base unit 6 and, in addition, the attachment portion 51 is engaged and able
to slide in a further elongated slot 54, substantially in the shape of an arc of circumference,
made in the fork 10 on the side opposite to the jaws 22 and having the same radius
of curvature as slots 52, 53 with respect to axis A.
[0027] The attachment portions 50, 51 of spring 25 are therefore designed to act in conjunction
on opposite sides with an interaction portion 55 of the fork 10, which is bounded
laterally, in the direction of the attachment portion 50, by a shoulder 56 in the
edge of the periphery 27 of the fork 10 and, in the direction of the attachment portion
51, by an edge 57 at the end of slot 54 adjacent to shoulder 56.
[0028] In the rest position of the fork 10 (figure 3), the attachment portions 50, 51 of
spring 25 are arranged to bear against respective edges 58, 59 at the adjacent ends
of slots 52, 53 and act in opposite directions in conjunction with the interaction
portion 55 of the fork 10.
[0029] During the rotation of the fork 10 between the rest position -and the first operating
position, the attachment portion 50 of spring 25 is arranged to bear against the edge
58 of slot 52, while the attachment portion 51 is able to move inside slot 53 under
the thrust of the interaction portion 55, in particular of the edge 57 at the end
of the slot 54.
[0030] In a different way, during rotation of the fork 10 between the rest position and
the second operating position, the attachment portion 51 of spring 25 is arranged
to bear against the edge 59 of slot 53, while the attachment portion 50 is able to
move inside slot 52 under the thrust of the interaction portion 55, in particular
of the shoulder 56 on the edge of the periphery 27 of fork 10.
[0031] Therefore, slot 53 has an angular extension with respect to axis A at least equal
to the angular distance between the rest position and the first operating position
of fork 10, while slots 52, 54 have an angular extension with respect to axis A at
least equal to the angular distance between the rest position and the second operating
position and less than the angular extension of slot 53.
[0032] The first and second operating positions mentioned above are determined by the interaction
of the stop pins 36 with prongs 23 and 24 respectively (figures 4 and 5 respectively).
Moreover, in the first operating position of the fork 10, the attachment portion 51
of spring 25 is held by the interaction portion 55, in particular by the edge 57 of
slot 54, close to an edge 60 at the end of slot 53 opposite the edge 59 (figure 4),
while in the second operating position of fork 10, the attachment portion 50 of spring
25 is held by the interaction portion 55, in particular by the shoulder 56 on the
edge of the periphery 27 of the fork 10, close to an edge 61 at the end of slot 52
opposite to the end 58 and it is arranged to bear against an edge 62 at the end of
slot 54 opposite the edge 57 (figure 5).
[0033] Operation of the securing device 1 is described on the basis of the configuration
in figure 1, in which the back 2 is arranged in an end securing position determined
by the attachment between the jaws 22 of the fork 10 and a corresponding stop pin
36 at the end of the positioning rail 4; more precisely, the fork 10 is held in its
position of attachment to the end stop pin 36 mentioned above by the engagement of
portion 31 of arm 30 of the stop 11 with the recess 32 in the fork 10.
[0034] To change to the adjacent securing position along length P, it is necessary to operate
the arm 29 of the stop 11 so as to disengage portion 31 from the recess 32 in the
fork 10 and to move the back 2 with respect to the vehicle body 3 so as to slide the
base unit 6 along the plate 37 of the positioning rail 4 towards the adjacent intermediate
locating pin 36 in a direction D. During this movement and following the interaction
between the end locating pin 36 and prong 23, the fork 10 is rotated anticlockwise
in figures 1 and 3 to 5 about axis A until the first operating position is reached
(figure 4); at the same time, the attachment portion 50 of the spring 25 is kept bearing
against the edge 58 of slot 52, which therefore constitutes a unidirectional stop,
while the attachment portion 51 of spring 25 is moved by portion 55 of the fork 10
along the slot 53 towards the edge 60 at the end.
[0035] As soon as the locating pin 36 at the end disengages from the jaws 22, the fork 10,
due to the effect of the thrust of spring 25, snaps into the rest position (figure
3), in which the jaws 22 are facing the intermediate locating pin 36 of the positioning
rail 4.
[0036] By continuing to adjust the back 2 and by moving the base unit 6 along plate 37 in
direction D, the intermediate locating pin 36 is made to engage in the jaws 22, and
due to the effect of the thrust of the intermediate locating pin 36 on the prong 23,
the fork 10 rotates anticlockwise from the rest position in figure 3 to the attachment
position.
[0037] Rotation of the fork 10 between the rest position and the attachment position causes
the edge of the periphery 27 to slide along portion 31 of stop 11, until that portion
snaps into engagement with the recess 32, locking the fork 10 in the attachment position
with the intermediate locating pin 36.
[0038] The change to the next securing position along the length P is performed in a manner
completely equivalent to that just described.
[0039] To return to the previous securing position, the arm 29 of stop 11 has to be operated
again so as to disengage the portion 31 from the recess 32 in the fork 10 and to move
the back 2 with respect to the body 3 so as to slide the base unit 6 along the plate
37 of the positioning rail 4 towards the end locating pin 36 in a direction E opposite
to direction D. During this movement and following the interaction between the intermediate
locating pin 36 and the prong 24, the fork 10 is rotated clockwise in figures 1 and
3 to 5 about axis A until the rest position is reached and the intermediate locating
pin 36 can be disengaged from the jaws 22.
[0040] At this point, by continuing to move the base unit 6 along plate 37 in the direction
E, an impact is caused between the prong 23 of the fork 10 and the end stop pin 36,
causing further rotation of the fork 10 clockwise in figures 1 and 3 to 5 towards
the second operating position (figure 5); at this stage, the attachment portion 51
of spring 25 is held to bear against the edge 59 of slot 53, which therefore constitutes
a unidirectional stop, while attachment portion 50 of the spring 25 is moved by portion
55 of the fork 10 along the slot 52 towards the edge 61 at the end.
[0041] As soon as the end stop pin 36 is separated from prong 23 of fork 10, the latter,
due to the effect of the thrust of spring 25 snaps into the rest position in which
the jaws 22 are facing the end stop pin 36 of the positioning rail 4.
[0042] At this point, only a small movement of the base unit 6 along plate 37 in direction
D is required to obtain engagement of the end stop pin 36 in the jaws 22 and rotation
of the fork 10 anti-clockwise in figures 1 and 3 to 5, from the rest position to the
attachment position, in which the portion 31 of stop 11 snaps into engagement with
the recess 32, locking the fork 10.
[0043] The variant illustrated in figure 6 relates to an attachment mechanism 70, which
is similar to the attachment mechanism 5, and the constituent parts of this are identified
where possible by the same reference numbers as the corresponding parts of the attachment
mechanism 5.
[0044] The attachment mechanism 70 differs from attachment mechanism 5 in that the base
unit 6 as a whole forms a guide portion 71 which extends in an overhanging projection
from the portion 40 on the opposite side of fork 10 and forms the boundary of a circumferential
groove 72 having an angular extension with respect to axis A at least equal to the
angular distance between the first and second operating positions of the fork 10.
[0045] In the intermediate position, the guide portion 71 has a pair of projections 73 which
at opposite ends form stop surfaces 74, 75 for the relevant end portions 76, 77 of
spring 25.
[0046] Instead of the interaction portion 55, the fork 10 has an appendage 78 forming an
overhanging projection at right angles to the fork 10, engaging and able to slide
in the groove 72, and acting as a stop from opposite sides in conjunction with the
end portions 76, 77 of spring 25.
[0047] In the rest position of the fork 10 (figure 6), the end portions 76, 77 of spring
25 are arranged to bear from opposite sides on the surfaces 74, 75 of the projections
73 and the appendage 78.
[0048] During rotation of the fork 10 between the rest position and the first operating
position, the end portion 76 of spring 25 is arranged to bear against the surfaces
74 of the projections 73, while the end portion 77 can move inside the groove 72 under
the thrust of the appendage 78.
[0049] In a different way, during rotation of the fork 10 between the rest position and
the second operating position, the end portion 77 of spring 25 is arranged to bear
against the surfaces 75 of the projections 73, while the end portion 76 is able to
move inside the groove 72 under the thrust of the appendage 78.
[0050] From an examination of the characteristics of the securing device 1 produced in accordance
with this invention, the advantages which can be obtained with it are evident.
[0051] In particular, the device 1 places no limit to the number of positions which can
be obtained for securing the back 2 to the body 3, except for the limit connected
with the ergonomics of the seats. Moreover, the device 1 is almost completely silent,
principally due to the fact that the fork 10 is coated on the outside in plastic material.
Alternatively or in addition to the plastic coating of the fork 10, suitable damping
elements could be inserted in the vicinity of the engagement contact zones between
the fork 10 and the stop 11.
[0052] Finally it is clear that modifications and variants which do not go outside the protective
scope of this invention may be made to the securing device 1.
[0053] In particular, the attachment mechanisms 5, 70 could be fixed to the body 3 of the
motor vehicle and the positioning rail 4 could be fixed to the back 2.
1. A device (1) for securing an adjustable back (2) of a seat to a motor vehicle body
(3), comprising positioning devices (4) mounted on one of either the back (2) or the
body (3) and an attachment mechanism (5, 70) mounted on the other of either the back
(2) or the body (3) and designed to operate in conjunction with the positioning devices
(4) mentioned, the attachment mechanism (5) comprising:
- a base unit (6);
- a fork (10) pivoting on the base unit (6) about a first fixed pin (12), having jaws
(22) to engage with the positioning devices (4) and pressed by a first spring device
(25) towards a rest position, in which engagement and disengagement between the jaws
(22) and the positioning devices (4) are made possible; and
- a stop (11) pivoting on the base unit (6) about a second fixed pin (13), loaded
by second spring device (26) towards the fork (10) and designed to snap into engagement
with the fork (10) to lock it in a releasable manner in an attachment position, in
which the positioning device (4) is engaged with the jaws (22);
characterised in that the positioning devices (4) are constituted by rails which comprise a number of stop
pins (36) arranged along their length (P) through which the position of the seat back
(2) can be adjusted with respect to the vehicle body (3) and designed to engage with
the fork (10) in the attachment position to determine different positions for securing
the back (2) to the body (3), and that the fork (10) is able to rotate about the first
pin (12) against the action of the first spring device (25) between a first and a
second operating position arranged at an angle on opposite sides of the rest and attachment
positions, so as to allow the stop pins (36) and the fork (10) to slide relative to
each other during movements of the seat back (2) between adjacent securing positions.
2. A device in accordance with claim 1 characterised in that the attachment position of the fork (10) is placed at an angle between the rest position
and the second operating position of the fork (10).
3. A device in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first spring device comprises a single helical spring (25) wound around the first
pin (12) and having a first and a second end portion (50, 51; 76, 77) designed to
act in conjunction on opposite sides with an interaction portion (55, 78) of the fork
(10), and that the base unit (6) comprises a first unidirectional stop device (58,
74) to lock the first end portion (50, 76) of the spring (25) during rotation of the
fork (10) between the rest position and the second operating position and a second
unidirectional stop device (59, 75) to lock the said second end portion (51, 77) of
the spring (25) during rotation of the fork (10) between the rest position and the
second operating position.
4. A device in accordance with claim 3, characterised in that the first and second end portions (50, 51) of the spring (25) are bent in a direction
parallel to the respective axes (A, B) of the first and second pins (12, 13) and are
engaged and able to slide in a first and a second slot (52, 53) respectively, of elongated
curved shape, made in the base unit (6) and extending along arcs of circumference
having a centre of curvature coinciding with the axis (A) of the first pin (12), the
first and second unidirectional stop devices mentioned being formed by respective
end edges (58, 59), adjacent to each other, of the first and second slots (52, 53).
5. A device in accordance with claim 4, characterised in that the first slot (52) has an angular extension with respect to axis (A) of the first
pin (12) at least equal to the angular distance between the rest position and the
second operating position of the fork (10), and that the second slot (53) has an angular
extension with respect to axis (A) of the first pin (12) at least equal to the angular
distance between the rest position and the first operating position of the fork (10).
6. A device in accordance with claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the second slot (53) has an angular extension with respect to axis (A) of the first
pin (12) which is greater than the angular extension of the first slot (52).
7. A device in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the fork (10) has a third elongated slot (54), substantially the shape of an arc
of circumference with the centre of curvature coinciding with the axis (A) of the
first pin (12) and engaged so as to allow sliding by the second end portion (51) of
the spring (25), the interaction portion (55) of the fork (10) being bounded on opposite
sides by a section (56) of the edge of the periphery (27) of the fork (10), designed
to operate in conjunction with the first end portion (50) of the spring (25), and
by an end edge (57) of the third slot (54) adjacent to the section (56) of the edge
of the periphery (27) of the fork (10).
8. A device in accordance with claim 7, characterised in that the first and third slots (52, 54) have substantially the same angular extension.
9. A device in accordance with claim 3 characterised in that the base unit (6) comprises guiding devices (71, 72) extending circumferentially
around the first pin (12) and engaged so as to allow sliding by the interaction portion
(78) of the fork (10), and at least one projection (73) having respective stop surfaces
(74, 75) on opposite sides designed to act in conjunction with the first and second
end portions (76, 77) of the spring (25) and respectively constituting the first and
second unidirectional stop devices.
10. A device in accordance with claim 9, characterised in that the interaction portion of the fork (10) comprises an appendage (78) forming an overhanging
projection from the fork (10), and that the guidance device comprises a groove (72)
in which the appendage (78) engages and slides, and having an angular extension with
respect to the first pin (12) at least equal to the angular distance between the first
and second operating positions of the fork (10).
11. A device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locating pins (36) have a portion (38) which acts in conjunction with the fork
(10), substantially cylindrical, and that the jaws (22) in the fork (10) are substantially
C-shaped.
12. A device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locating pins (36) are permanently attached at one end to the vehicle body (3)
and are connected to each other at the opposite end by an elongated plate (37) extending
at right angles to the locating pins (36), determining the length (P) through which
the position of the seat back (2) can be adjusted, and designed to constitute a guide
for a sliding engagement section (42, 43) of the base unit (6).
13. A device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stop (11) comprises a first operating arm (29) and a second arm (30) of interaction
with the fork (10) having an engagement portion (31) designed to snap into engagement
in a peripheral recess (32) in the fork (10).
14. A device in accordance with any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the fork (10) is produced at least externally of plastic material.
1. Vorrichtung (1) zum Sichern einer verstellbaren Sitzrückenlehne (2) an einer Kraftfahrzeugkarosserie
(3), die Positioniervorrichtungen (4), die entweder an der Lehne (2) oder an der Karosserie
(3) angebracht sind, und eine Befestigungsvorrichtung (5, 70) aufweist, die ebenfalls
entweder an der Lehne (2) oder an der Karosserie (3) angebracht ist und sich zusammen
mit den erwähnten Positioniervorrichtungen (4) betätigen soll, wobei die Befestigungsvorrichtung
(5) aufweist:
- eine Basiseinheit (6);
- eine Gabel (10), die an der Basiseinheit (6) um einen ersten feststehenden Stift
(12) schwenkt, Klemmbacken (22) aufweist, um mit den Positioniervorrichtungen (4)
in Eingriff zu gelangen, und durch eine erste Federvorrichtung (25) in Richtung einer
Ruhestellung gedrückt wird, in der Eingreifen und Lösen der Klemmbacken (22) und der
Positioniervorrichtungen (4) möglich werden; und
- einen Anschlag (11), der an der Basiseinheit (6) um einen zweiten feststehenden
Stift (13) schwenkt, der in Richtung der Gabel (10) durch eine zweite Federvorrichtung
(26) belastet wird und in Eingriff mit der Gabel (10) schnappen soll, um diese in
lösbarer Weise in einer gehaltenen Stellung zu verrasten, in der sich die Positioniervorrichtung
(4) mit den Klemmbacken (22) in Eingriff befindet;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Positioniervorrichtungen (4) durch Schienen gebildet sind, die eine Anzahl von
Anschlagstiften (36) aufweisen, die ihrer Länge (P) nach angeordnet sind, durch die
die Stellung der Sitzrückenlehne im Hinblick auf die Kraftfahrzeugkarosserie (3) verstellt
werden kann, und so ausgelegt sind, um in der gehaltenen Stellung in Eingriff mit
der Gabel (10) zu gelangen, um verschiedene Stellungen zum Sichern der Lehne (2) an
der Karosserie (3) festzulegen, und dass die Gabel (10) in der Lage ist, um den ersten
Stift (12) entgegen der Wirkung der ersten Federvorrichtung (25) zwischen einer ersten
und einer zweiten Betätigungsstellung zu rotieren, die auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten
der Ruhe- und gehaltenen Stellungen unter einem Winkel angeordnet ist, um die Anschlagstifte
(36) und die Gabel (10) in die Lage zu versetzen, relativ zueinander bei Bewegungen
der Rückenlehne (2) zwischen angrenzenden gesicherten Stellungen zu gleiten.
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich die Gabel (10) bei gehaltener Stellung in einem Winkel zwischen der Ruhe- und
der zweiten Betätigungsstellung der Gabel (10) befindet.
3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Federvorrichtung eine einzelne Schraubenfeder (25) aufweist, die um den
ersten Stift (12) gewickelt ist und einen ersten und einen zweiten Endabschnitt (50,
51; 76, 77) besitzt, der auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten mit einem zusammenwirkenden
Abschnitt (55, 78) der Gabel (10) zusammenwirken soll, und dass die Basiseinheit (6)
eine erste unidirektionale Anschlagvorrichtung (58, 74) aufweist, um den ersten Endabschnitt
(50, 76) der Feder (25) während der Rotation der Gabel (10) zwischen der Ruhestellung
und der zweiten Betätigungsstellung zu verrasten, und eine zweite unidirektionale
Anschlagvorrichtung (59, 75) aufweist, um den zweiten Endabschnitt (51, 77) der Feder
(25) während der Rotation der Gabel (10) zwischen der Ruhestellung und der zweiten
Betätigungsstellung zu verrasten.
4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die ersten und zweiten Endabschnitte (50, 51) der Feder (25) in einer Richtung parallel
zu den entsprechenden Achsen (A, B) der ersten und zweiten Stifte (12, 13) gebogen
sind und in Eingriff und in der Lage sind, in einem ersten bzw. einem zweiten Schlitz
(52, 53) von länglicher, gebogener Form zu gleiten, der in der Basiseinheit (6) gebildet
ist und sich entlang von Umfangsbögen erstreckt, deren Krümmungsmittelpunkt mit der
Achse (A) des ersten Stiftes (12) zusammenfällt, wobei die erwähnten ersten und zweiten
unidirektionalen Anschlagvorrichtungen durch entsprechende, einander benachbarte Endkanten
(58, 59) der ersten und zweiten Schlitze (52, 53) gebildet sind.
5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Schlitz (52) eine Winkelerstreckung hinsichtlich der Achse (A) des ersten
Stiftes (12) hat, die zumindest dem Winkelabstand zwischen der Ruhestellung und der
zweiten Betätigungsstellung der Gabel (10) entspricht, und dass der zweite Schlitz
(53) eine Winkelerstreckung hinsichtlich der Achse (A) des ersten Stiftes (12) hat,
die zumindest dem Winkelabstand zwischen der Ruhestellung und der ersten Betätigungsstellung
der Gabel (10) entspricht.
6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Schlitz (53) eine Winkelerstreckung hinsichtlich der Achse (A) des ersten
Stiftes (12) hat, die größer ist als die Winkelerstreckung des ersten Schlitzes (52).
7. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Gabel (10) einen dritten Längsschlitz (54) aufweist, der im Wesentlichen die
Form eines Umfangsbogens hat, wobei der Kurvenmittelpunkt mit der Achse (A) des ersten
Stiftes (12) zusammenfällt und so im Eingriff ist, dass ein Gleiten des zweiten Endabschnitts
(51) der Feder (25) möglich ist, wobei der zusammenwirkende Abschnitt (55) der Gabel
(10) auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten geführt wird durch ein Teilstück (56) am Umfangsrand
(27) der Gabel (10), um in Verbindung mit dem ersten Endabschnitt (50) der Feder (25)
betätigt zu werden, und durch eine Endkante (57) des dritten Schlitzes (54), der dem
Teilstück (56) des Umfangsrands (27) der Gabel (10) benachbart ist.
8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die ersten und dritten Schlitze (52, 54) im Wesentlichen dieselbe Winkelerstreckung
aufweisen.
9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Basiseinheit (6) Führungsmittel (71, 72), die sich in Umfangsrichtung um den
ersten Stift (12) erstrecken und so im Eingriff sind, dass ein Gleiten durch den zusammenwirkenden
Abschnitt (78) der Gabel (10) möglich ist, und zumindest einen Vorsprung (73) aufweist,
der entsprechende Anschlagflächen (74, 75) auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten besitzt,
um mit den ersten und zweiten Endabschnitten (76, 77) der Feder (25) zusammenzuwirken
bzw. die ersten und zweiten unidirektionalen Anschlagvorrichtungen darstellt.
10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zusammenwirkende Abschnitt der Gabel (10) einen Fortsatz (78) aufweist, der einen
von der Gabel (10) überstehenden Vorsprung bildet, und dass das Führungsmittel eine
Nut (72) aufweist, in die der Fortsatz (78) eingreift und darin gleitet, und eine
Winkelerstreckung im Hinblick auf den ersten Stift (12) hat, die wenigstens dem Winkelabstand
zwischen der ersten und zweiten Betätigungsstellung der Gabel (10) entspricht.
11. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Fixierstifte (36) einen im Wesentlichen zylindrischen Abschnitt (38) aufweisen,
der mit der Gabel (10) zusammenwirkt, und dass die Klemmbacken (22) in der Gabel (10)
im Wesentlichen C-förmig sind.
12. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Fixierstifte (36) ständig an einem Ende an der Fahrzeugkarosserie (3) gehalten
sind und miteinander am gegenüberliegenden Ende durch eine längsgestreckte Platte
(37) verbunden sind, die sich rechtwinklig zu den Fixierstiften (36) erstreckt, die
die Länge (P) bestimmt, durch die die Stellung der Sitzrückenlehne (2) verstellt werden
kann, und so ausgelegt ist, dass sie eine Führung für ein Teilstück (42, 43) zum gleitenden
Eingriff der Basiseinheit (6) darstellt.
13. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Anschlag (11) einen ersten Betätigungsarm (29) und einen zweiten Arm (30) zum
Zusammenwirken mit der Gabel (10) aufweist, mit einem Eingriffsabschnitt (31), der
so ausgelegt ist, dass er in Eingriff mit der in Umfangsrichtung angeordneten Aussparung
(32) in der Gabel (10) schnappen kann.
14. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Gabel (10) zumindest außen aus Kunststoffmaterial hergestellt ist.
1. Dispositif (1) pour fixer un dossier (2) de siège réglable à la carrosserie d'un véhicule
automobile (3), comprenant des dispositifs de positionnement (4) montés sur l'un du
dossier (2) ou de la carrosserie (3) et un mécanisme d'attache (5, 70) monté sur l'autre
du dossier (2) ou de la carrosserie (3) et conçu pour fonctionner en rapport avec
les dispositifs de positionnement (4) mentionnés, le mécanisme d'attache (5) comprenant
:
une unité de base (6) ;
une fourche (10) pivotant sur l'unité de base (6) autour d'une première broche fixe
(12), ayant des mâchoires (22) pour venir en prise avec les dispositifs de positionnement
(4) et pressée par un premier dispositif ressort (25) vers une position de repos,
dans lequel la mise en prise et le dégagement entre les mâchoires (22) et les dispositifs
de positionnement (4) sont rendus possibles ; et
une butée (11) pivotant sur l'unité de base (6) autour d'une seconde broche fixe (13),
chargée par le second dispositif ressort (26) vers la fourche (10) et conçue pour
s'engager d'un coup avec la fourche (10) afin de la verrouiller d'une façon libérable
dans une position d'attache, dans lequel le dispositif de positionnement (4) vient
en prise avec les mâchoires (22) ;
caractérisé en ce que les dispositifs de positionnement (4) sont constitués par des rails qui comprennent
plusieurs broches de butée (36) agencées sur leur longueur (P) sur laquelle la position
du dossier de siège (2) peut être réglée par rapport à la carrosserie (3) du véhicule
et conçus pour venir en prise avec la fourche (10) dans la position d'attache afin
de déterminer différentes positions pour fixer le dossier (2) à la carrosserie (3),
et
en ce que la fourche (10) peut tourner autour de la première broche (12) contre l'action du
premier dispositif ressort (25) entre une première et une seconde positions de fonctionnement
agencées à un angle sur les côtés opposés des positions de repos et d'attache, afin
de permettre aux broches de butée (36) et à la fourche (10) de coulisser les unes
par rapport aux autres pendant les mouvements du dossier de siège (2) entre des positions
de fixation adjacentes.
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la position d'attache de la fourche (10) est placée à un angle entre la position
de repos et la seconde position de fonctionnement de la fourche (10).
3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le premier dispositif ressort comprend un ressort hélicoïdal unique (25) enroulé
autour de la première broche (12) et ayant une première et une seconde parties d'extrémité
(50, 51 ; 76, 77) conçues pour agir ensemble sur des côtés opposés avec une partie
d'interaction (55, 78) de la fourche (10), et en ce que l'unité de base (6) comprend un premier dispositif d'arrêt unidirectionnel (58, 74)
pour verrouiller la première partie d'extrémité (50, 76) du ressort (25) pendant la
rotation de la fourche (10) entre la position de repos et la seconde position de fonctionnement
et un second dispositif d'arrêt unidirectionnel (59, 75) pour verrouiller ladite seconde
partie d'extrémité (51, 77) du ressort (25) pendant la rotation de la fourche (10)
entre la position de repos et la seconde position de fonctionnement.
4. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que les première et seconde parties d'extrémité (50, 51) du ressort (25) sont pliées
dans une direction parallèle aux axes respectifs (A, B) des première et seconde broches
(12, 13) et sont en prise et capables de coulisser dans une première et une deuxième
fentes (52, 53) respectivement, de forme courbe allongée, faites dans l'unité de base
(6) et s'étendant le long d'arcs de circonférence ayant un centre de courbure coïncidant
avec l'axe (A) de la première broche (12), les premier et second dispositifs d'arrêt
unidirectionnels mentionnés étant formés par les bords d'extrémité respectifs (58,
59), adjacents l'un à l'autre, des première et deuxième fentes (52, 53).
5. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que la première fente (52) a une extension angulaire par rapport à l'axe (A) de la première
broche (12) au moins égale à la distance angulaire entre la position de repos et la
seconde position de fonctionnement de la fourche (10), et en ce que la deuxième fente (53) a une extension angulaire par rapport à l'axe (A) de la première
broche (12) au moins égale à la distance angulaire entre la position de repos et la
première position de fonctionnement de la fourche (10).
6. Dispositif selon la revendication 4 ou 5, caractérisé en ce que la deuxième fente (53) a une extension angulaire par rapport à l'axe (A) de la première
broche (12) qui est supérieure à l'extension angulaire de la première fente (52).
7. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 6, caractérisé en ce que la fourche (10) a une troisième fente allongée (54), ayant sensiblement la forme
d'un arc de circonférence avec le centre de courbure coïncidant avec l'axe (A) de
la première broche (12) et en prise afin de permettre le coulissage par la seconde
partie d'extrémité (51) du ressort (25), la partie d'interaction (55) de la fourche
(10) étant bordée sur les côtés opposés par une section (56) du bord de la périphérie
(27) de la fourche (10), conçue pour fonctionner avec la première partie d'extrémité
(50) du ressort (25), et par un bord d'extrémité (57) de la troisième fente (54) adjacent
à la section (56) du bord de la périphérie (27) de la fourche (10).
8. Dispositif selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que les première et troisième fentes (52, 54) ont sensiblement la même extension angulaire.
9. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que l'unité de base (6) comprend des dispositifs de guidage (71, 72) s'étendant circonférentiellement
autour de la première broche (12) et en prise afin de permettre le coulissage par
la partie d'interaction (78) de la fourche (10), et au moins une saillie (73) ayant
des surfaces d'arrêt respectives (74, 75) sur les côtés opposés conçues pour agir
avec les première et seconde parties d'extrémité (76, 77) du ressort (25) et constituant
respectivement les premier et second dispositifs d'arrêt unidirectionnels.
10. Dispositif selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que la partie d'interaction de la fourche (10) comprend un appendice (78) formant une
saillie en surplomb depuis la fourche (10), et en ce que le dispositif de guidage comprend une rainure (72) dans laquelle l'appendice (78)
vient en prise et coulisse, et ayant une extension angulaire par rapport à la première
broche (12) au moins égale à la distance angulaire entre les première et seconde positions
de fonctionnement de la fourche (10).
11. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les broches de localisation (36) ont une partie (38) qui agit avec la fourche (10),
sensiblement cylindrique, et en ce que les mâchoires (22) dans la fourche (10) sont sensiblement en forme de C.
12. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les broches de localisation (36) sont fixées en permanence à une extrémité de la
carrosserie (3) du véhicule et sont connectées l'une à l'autre à l'extrémité opposée
par une plaque allongée (37) s'étendant à angle droit vers les broches de localisation
(36), déterminant la longueur (P) sur laquelle la position du dossier de siège (2)
peut être réglée, et conçues pour constituer un guide pour une section de prise coulissante
(42, 43) de l'unité de base (6).
13. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la butée (11) comprend un premier bras de fonctionnement (29) et un second bras (30)
d'interaction avec la fourche (10) ayant une partie en prise (31) conçue pour venir
en prise dans un retrait périphérique (32) dans la fourche (10).
14. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la fourche (10) est produite au moins à l'extérieur en matière plastique.